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Maryland Post Permanency Program
The Maryland Post Permanency Program provides free, statewide, trauma-responsive services for families formed through adoption and guardianship. Starting February 1, 2026, the program's post-adoption supports were expanded to include all relative caregivers with custody or guardianship, ensuring that every post-permanency family has access to the tools, community, and support they need to thrive. All services are available at no cost through our partnership with Maryland DHS/SSA.
Permanency is a milestone. Support is lifelong.
We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our Maryland Post Permanency Program beginning February 1, 2026! In addition to providing support for families formed through adoption, services are now available for relatives and kinship providers who achieved legal permanency through custody and guardianship.
Paths for Families is committed to ensuring families receive ongoing support, connection, and access to skilled clinicians, helping stabilize placements, strengthen family relationships, and promote long‑term well‑being for Maryland’s children and youth.
Who We Support:
- Adoptive parents
- Guardianship families
- Relative caregivers with custody
- Youth and young adults in post-permanency families
Support Offerings:
Therapy
We offer trauma-responsive, adoption and permanency-centered therapy including:
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Parent-focused therapy
- Comprehensive bio-psycho-social intake and assessment
Registration:
Register for the Maryland Post Permanency Program to inquire about therapy options. If you’re already participating in the Maryland Post Permanency Program, email Jen McLeod at jmcleod@pathsforfamilies.org for more information.
Topic-Based Group Sessions | Next Session: October 15
We’re hosting six group sessions for parents and caregivers, and we’d love to see you there! We’ll send a video ahead of each session to help spark our conversations. To help us create a close-knit and supportive space, we ask that everyone plans to attend all six sessions.
2026 Dates:
- Wednesdays from March 4-April 8 | 7-8 PM
- Mondays from April 27-June 8 | Noon-1 PM
- There won’t be a session on Memorial Day, May 25.
- Wednesdays from July 8-August 12 | Noon-1 PM
- Focused on the book, Seven Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency: A Comprehensive Guide to Promoting Understanding and Healing In Adoption, Foster Care, Kinship Families and Third Party Reproduction by Sharon Roszia and Allison Davis Maxon
- Thursdays from October 15-November 19 | 9-10 AM
- Week 1: Why We React: Understanding Trauma and the Nervous System
- Week 2: What’s Beneath the Behavior? Identifying Triggers and Stress Signals
- Week 3: Connection Before Correction: Co-Regulation in Action
- Week 4: Caring for the Caregiver: Staying Grounded Through Challenges
- Week 5: Repair, Reconnect, Restore: Strengthening Family Bonds
- Week 6: From Surviving to Thriving: Building a Family Regulation Toolbox
Registration:
Register for the Maryland Post Permanency Program to receive sign up links and more information. If you’re already participating in the Maryland Post Permanency Program, email Jen McLeod at jmcleod@pathsforfamilies.org to sign up.
Caregiver Support Group | Next Session: October 27
Caregiver Support Group
Our Caregiver Support Group is a general support group for adoptive, kinship, and guardian parents/caregivers. We believe no one should have to navigate life’s challenges alone. Our support groups are designed to be safe spaces where shared experiences lead to collective healing.
2026 Dates:
- 7-8 PM on Zoom
- Dates:
- September 22
- October 27
- November 24
- December 22
Registration:
Register for the Maryland Post Permanency Program to receive sign up links and more information. If you’re already participating in the Maryland Post Permanency Program, email Jen McLeod at jmcleod@pathsforfamilies.org for more information.
INTAG Support Group | Next Session: INTAG on October 28
Interracial Adoption Support Group (INTAG)
- 2026 Meeting Schedule: May 27, June 24, July 22, August 19, September 23, October 28
- 6:30 PM on Zoom
INTAG exists because guardians and adoptive parents raising children across racial and cultural lines often face unique questions, challenges, and experiences. This group provides a space to learn, connect, and support one another while exploring identity, belonging, and the realities of interracial adoption.
Your insight helps us ensure the group continues to meet the needs of families in meaningful and relevant ways. Please feel free to share any thoughts, suggestions, or topics you’d like us to cover.
Registration:
Register for the Maryland Post Permanency Program to receive sign up links and more information. If you’re already participating in the Maryland Post Permanency Program, email Weberlyn Dossen at wdossen@pathsforfamilies.org to sign up.
Book Club | Next Session: November 10
Our Book Club is a welcoming space where parents and caregivers can come together, share experiences, and talk about adoption and guardianship-related books in a relaxed, supportive environment. Each session will focus on a different book. Conversations are gently guided by a Lived Experience Expert and Jennifer McLeod, Maryland Post-Permanency Program Clinical Coordinator/Adoptive Parent, creating space for connection, reflection, and encouragement.
Discussion Format:
- First, we’ll start with initial thoughts and reactions to the book.
- Next, we’ll dive into a guided, facilitated conversation.
- Please join the discussion whether you’ve finished the book or not. Everyone is welcome!
2026 Dates:
- March 9 at 7 P.M.
- 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Permanency: A Comprehensive Guide to Promoting Understanding and Healing in Adoption, Foster Care, Kinship Families and Third Party Reproduction by Sharon Roszia and Allison Davis Maxon
- While this session is tailored for adoptive parents, we look forward to exploring this book with custody and guardianship families during a future book club session. Stay tuned!
- May 12 at 7 P.M.
- No Biking in the House Without a Helmet by Melissa Faye Greene
- July 14 at 7 P.M.
- September 8 at 7 P.M.
- November 10 at 7 P.M.
Registration:
Register for the Maryland Post Permanency Program to receive sign up links and more information. If you’re already participating in the Maryland Post Permanency Program, email Jen McLeod at jmcleod@pathsforfamilies.org to sign up.
Parent and Caregiver Trainings
More details coming soon!
Professional Trainings
More details coming soon!
Next Resource
Support Groups
Families benefit from building community and finding support in group settings. Our adoption and foster care support groups offer a safe, welcoming space for children, teens, and families to connect, share, and grow. Led by licensed therapists and facilitators with lived experience, these online groups provide adoption-competent support, peer connection, and practical tools for healing. Sessions are offered weekly and monthly. More details below! ↓